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1.e4 c5 2.Bc4?!

Original post by Subscriber sundown316 on 28 Jan '15 00:53
  1. Subscriber sundown316
    The Mighty Messenger
    28 Jan '15 00:53
    I've been seeing this move a lot vs. my Sicilian. Anybody know if it has a name? Can't find one in any of the sources I've checked.
  2. Standard member DeepThought
    Losing the Thread
    28 Jan '15 01:02
    Originally posted by sundown316
    I've been seeing this move a lot vs. my Sicilian. Anybody know if it has a name? Can't find one in any of the sources I've checked.
    It's not good or bad enough to have a name.
  3. Standard member caissad4
    Child of the Novelty
    28 Jan '15 01:43
    Originally posted by sundown316
    I've been seeing this move a lot vs. my Sicilian. Anybody know if it has a name? Can't find one in any of the sources I've checked.
    It is called the Leonhardt variation.
  4. Standard member ChessPraxis
    Cowboy From Hell
    28 Jan '15 05:07
    Originally posted by sundown316
    I've been seeing this move a lot vs. my Sicilian. Anybody know if it has a name? Can't find one in any of the sources I've checked.
    His name is Jaime, we've been hanging out with Najdorf over at the Schwenningen Inn.
  5. Standard member ChessPraxis
    Cowboy From Hell
    28 Jan '15 05:08
    Originally posted by caissad4
    It is called the Leonhardt variation.
  6. Standard member KnightStalker47
    28 Jan '15 08:52 / 2 edits
    2.Bc4 is questionable. I believe it's popularity at the lower levels is due to players following an opening system that they use against anything. White is probably trying to achieve this set up:

  7. Standard member caissad4
    Child of the Novelty
    28 Jan '15 08:58
    Originally posted by KnightStalker47
    2.Bc4 is questionable. I believe it's popularity at the lower levels is due to players following an opening system that they use against anything. White is probably trying to achieve this set up:

    [fen]rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/2B1P3/2NP1N2/PPP2PPP/R1BQ1RK1 w - - 0 1[/fen]
    2. Bc4 is transitional. If white follows (after 2...e6) then 3.Nf3 and black replies Nc6, d6, or a6 then white plays d4 and we arrive at the line played by Robert Fischer. For many years Bc4 was considered an ineffectual move until that crazy American started beat grandmasters with it.
  8. Standard member KnightStalker47
    28 Jan '15 09:50
    Originally posted by caissad4
    2. Bc4 is transitional. If white follows (after 2...e6) then 3.Nf3 and black replies Nc6, d6, or a6 then white plays d4 and we arrive at the line played by Robert Fischer. For many years Bc4 was considered an ineffectual move until that crazy American started beat grandmasters with it.
    Bc4 is only good vs. Sicilians if black has played d6, because then Bxe6 sacrifices come into play. Without d6 white will never transpose into any mainlines. It's playable I guess, it's just ugly.
  9. Standard member DeepThought
    Losing the Thread
    28 Jan '15 14:12
    Originally posted by caissad4
    2. Bc4 is transitional. If white follows (after 2...e6) then 3.Nf3 and black replies Nc6, d6, or a6 then white plays d4 and we arrive at the line played by Robert Fischer. For many years Bc4 was considered an ineffectual move until that crazy American started beat grandmasters with it.
    I'm skeptical about your line of play, at least after 3. ... a6:
    Invert BoardPGNComments
    looks nice for black.
  10. Subscriber greenpawn34
    28 Jan '15 14:55 / 1 edit
    Very popular at the lower levels where White is going for Scholars Mate.
    Over 200 examples of White mating on f7 with a Queen aided by the Bishop.

    This one is where Black plays 2...e6 blunting the Bishop's sword. (very painful!)
    However such moves do not put off a determined a RHP player from hitting f7.

    BraynyB - Fozzil RHP 2012

    Invert BoardPGN



    I like Black''s play in this one

    poliquattromori - matthewph RHP 2004

    Invert BoardPGNComments
  11. Subscriber sundown316
    The Mighty Messenger
    28 Jan '15 15:01
    I see 2.Bc4 a lot also against the Caro-Kann, it is known as the Hillbilly Attack.
  12. Standard member atticus2
    Frustrate the Bad
    28 Jan '15 17:45
    It would be better known as the Silly Billy Attack v. the CK

    I've been 1 e4 c5; 2 Bc4 used by strong club-level amateurs. It's usually a move-order finesse with 3 f4 and GPA-style set-ups to follow. But poor against well-prepared opponents when 2...e6 and 3...a6 give Black an easy life
  13. Subscriber sundown316
    The Mighty Messenger
    28 Jan '15 23:28
    I play 2...e6 against 2.Bc4 in order to try and play a fast d5, show that White's 2nd was a waste of time.
  14. Standard member pikejohn
    29 Jan '15 15:48
    I think 2...Nc6 is best, followed by 3...e6.
  15. Standard member byedidia
    Mister Why
    30 Jan '15 21:55
    Originally posted by DeepThought
    I'm skeptical about your line of play, at least after 3. ... a6:[pgn]1. e4 c5 2. Bc4 e6 3. Nf3 a6 4. d4 b5 5. Be2 {and definitely not 5. Bb3} Bb7 [/pgn]looks nice for black.
    I played this line yesterday against one of my students after reading this thread.
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